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smart #1 vs VW Polo comparison

Compare performance (368 HP vs 207 HP), boot space and price (40,700 £ vs 17,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – smart #1 or VW Polo?

smart #1 vs VW Polo: Key differences

smart #1

  • clearly more power
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

VW Polo

4.2 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly cheaper
  • considerably lighter
  • somewhat more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

#1

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Polo is significantly cheaper – starting at 17,300 £ , while the smart #1 costs 40,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 23,447 £.

Polo

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the smart #1 offers clearly more power – delivering 368 HP compared to 207 HP. That’s roughly 161 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the smart #1 is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the VW Polo takes 6.5 s. That’s about 1.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the smart #1 delivers visibly more torque with 470 Nm compared to 320 Nm. That’s about 150 Nm more.

#1

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Polo is considerably lighter – 1,143 kg compared to 1,900 kg. The difference is around 757 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Polo offers somewhat more boot space – 351 L compared to 313 L. That’s a difference of about 38 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Polo carries only slightly more – 457 kg compared to 425 kg. That’s a difference of about 32 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The smart #1 holds a narrow overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

£40,705
#1

smart #1

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 368 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 18.2 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 400 km
details

Frequently compared as well

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smart #1
VW Polo

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

smart #1

The Smart #1 feels like a breath of fresh air in the compact EV world, pairing playful styling with usable space and a cabin that punches above its size. It skips the fuss and delivers an easygoing, city-friendly driving experience with clever features that make it a sensible, slightly cheeky choice for everyday motoring.

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Reviews smart #1

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

VW Polo

The Polo is a well-built, comfortable hatchback that blends a refined cabin and composed manners into a compact package. It's easy to live with day to day, offering sensible space, tidy controls and reassuring quality that make it a practical choice for city or longer trips.

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Reviews VW Polo

4.2 (4 Reviews)
rate
Michel
13 Jun 2026, 15:24:46

Nice, spacious car with many options available (panoramic roof and travel assist).

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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The VW Polo and the VW ID. Polo are compact hatchbacks aimed at the same city buyers, but they take very different approaches: the Polo remains a refined petrol (with mild‑hybrid options) mainstream choice, while the ID. Polo is Volkswagen’s fully electric small hatch. This comparison focuses on …
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Costs and Consumption
Price
40,700 £
Price
17,300 - 30,800 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
18.2 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
116 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,900 kg
Curb weight
1,143 - 1,378 kg
Trunk capacity
313 L
Trunk capacity
351 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,822 mm
Width
1,751 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
425 kg
Payload
432 - 457 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
368 HP
Power HP
80 - 207 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 15.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
470 Nm
Torque
93 - 320 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
271 kW
Power kW
59 - 152 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2024
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
Brand
smart
Brand
VW
What drive types are available for the smart #1?

The smart #1 is available as All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.